Celebrating the Seasons: A Journey Through Time and Art

Have you noticed how the seasons aren’t quite the same as they were when we were children? Or perhaps our memories have grown a little fuzzy with time. I remember summers that seemed endless, with boiling hot days stretching from Labor Weekend through to mid-March. We swam every chance we got, escaping the heat in pools or rivers. Even into April, the warm days lingered, making it perfect to spend time outdoors, soaking up the golden light of early autumn.

Autumn back then felt magical—vibrant hues of orange and red blanketed the trees, and the fallen leaves crunched delightfully underfoot. I loved walking to school in autumn, kicking through piles of leaves. It’s a simple joy I still cherish today.

Winter brought its own rhythm. It was wet, cold, and cozy by the fire. Venturing outside required bundling up in layers to battle the chill. Early spring marked the transition—still wet and chilly but alive with the anticipation of new growth. Lambing season on the farm was a hallmark of spring for me, a time when the barren, brown landscape began its transformation into lush green.

But now, the seasons seem to shift differently. Instead of following the traditional calendar, I find the solstices and equinoxes more accurately reflect the changing seasons. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, is just around the corner, marking the transition from spring to summer. It’s a time of celebration, not just of the lengthening days but also of the garden’s bounty.

Our gardens mirror these shifts. Mid-spring is a time for planting, preparing for summer’s abundance. By the end of summer, we transition again, preparing the soil for autumn vegetables. As our gardens change, so do our meals. Light, fresh dishes of summer give way to warm, hearty comfort foods as autumn deepens into winter.

I couldn’t imagine living in a place without four distinct seasons. There’s something beautiful about moving through each one, embracing their unique challenges and joys. Autumn’s colors inspire awe, while summer’s energy invites creativity. Even winter, with its cold and gray, has a coziness that sparks ideas for warm, cheerful artwork.

The seasons deeply influence my art. I often find my creations reflect the world around me, whether it’s the vibrant colors of autumn or the sunlit hues of summer. Interestingly, it’s sometimes easier to depict a season I’m longing for rather than the one I’m in. Winter scenes, for example, can feel a bit too real when I’m huddled under a blanket in the cold.

The changing seasons are a reminder of life’s rhythms and cycles, each bringing its own beauty and challenges. And as they continue to evolve, they provide endless inspiration—not only in the way we live but also in the stories we tell through art.

So as the summer solstice approaches, I find myself celebrating the beauty of our ever-changing world. What memories do the seasons stir for you?